Reason why Mississippi river is important
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the US and is often referred to as the Father of Waters due to its importance to the nation’s history and culture. It serves as a natural border between the states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana and has played an integral role in the development of the irrigation, transportation, and power industry in the region. The Mississippi River has also been significant to numerous famous American authors such as Mark Twain and William Faulkner who have used its presence as a backdrop for their works.
The river originates from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, winding its way from the Great Lakes towards the Gulf of Mexico. At its natural headwaters, the Mississippi River has a motto which reads “Here begins the river which flows two thousand miles to the sea.” This reflects the immense length of the Mississippi River which covers over 2,350 miles and serves as an important water source for the Great Plains area.
Beyond being a critical source of water, the Mississippi River is also a major economic force. Fishing and hunting are popular activities in many of the river’s tributaries, providing both recreational and commercial opportunities. The ports along the Mississippi, including New Orleans, are responsible for shipping a large percentage of the nation’s agricultural produce, coal, and manufactured goods. This means that the Mississippi River provides long-term economic stability to the communities which rely on its presence.
Nature of the Mississippi River
The nature of the Mississippi River has created an array of unique ecosystems and habitats which range from wetland marshlands to crystal clear, deep-water lakes. These habitats support a wide variety of plant and animal life, making the Mississippi a haven for both anglers and conservationists alike. Because of its size, the river is also home to an abundance of fish species. The most common species are bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and carp which are all popular among recreational fishers.
A huge number of birds also frequent the Mississippi River and its environs, attracted by its diverse habitats. Among the species found along the river’s banks are bald eagles, herons, ducks, geese and vultures. So vast and varied is the biodiversity of the Mississippi River that it has been declared a National Marine Sanctuary.
On top of its ecological and economic importance, the Mississippi River provides a major transport artery for ships travelling up and down its length. This has been a hugely significant development in the cultural and economic life of the region, allowing for goods to be freely transported from one end of the river to the other.
Flooding Along the Mississippi
Given its vast size, the river is subject to flooding on an alarmingly regular basis. This can cause major destruction to property and infrastructure which is situated along its banks. Despite the chaotic scene caused by flooding, the flow of the river also serves to help maintain balance in the ecosystem. This sees the flooding depositing fresh soil, nutrients, and sediment into new areas, helping to foster plant growth and sustain wildlife in affected areas.
Flooding has also caused disruptive changes to the dynamics of the river itself. In some cases, this can trigger dramatic changes such as the formation of waterfalls and rapids. Man-made engineering works such as locks, dams, and levees have been installed to help limit these destructive changes, providing communities along the river’s banks with increased protection.
Environmental Concerns
The Mississippi River’s importance is such that it has recently been the subject of a number of environmental initiatives. These are concerned with a range of issues, including the river’s health, the declining safety of its tributaries, and the need to protect its biodiversity.
Organizations such as the Mississippi River Miles, have been established to encourage public awareness of the Missouri’s issues. Through initiatives such as river clean-up campaigns and hikes along the river’s paths, their goal is to help preserve the river’s delicate ecosystem.
Recent efforts by environmental groups have been directed at improving water quality and limiting the discharge of pollutants into the river. The US Army Corps of Engineers, in particular, has imposed a range of restrictions on the use of fertilizers and pesticides near the river in an effort to reduce the harms caused by agricultural runoff.
Endangered Species in the Mississippi River
The river itself is not only home to a number of fish species, but also a range of endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the American alligator. Efforts are being made to conserve these species and protect their natural habitats. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was amended to provide greater protection for a number of fish and wildlife species, including those found in the Mississippi River.
This has helped to reduce the human-induced threats to sensitive species, however, some experts fear that changes to the river’s physical environment could pose a bigger risk to their continued survival. These changes could come in the form of increased flooding, dredging, and other man-made alterations to the river’s course.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has also implemented a number of conservation measures to protect the fish and other species that are found in the Mississippi River. This includes the implementation of a range of strategies such as the establishment of protected areas and the implementation of laws to limit the amount of fishing and hunting in the area.
History of Mississippi River
The story of the Mississippi River is almost as long as the river itself, tracing back over 10,000 years. During the time of the aboriginal people, the Mississippi was already a significant source of trade and transportation. During the 18th century, eventually the fledgling American nation took control of the river and it became a vital route for settlers to move around the country.
In the early 19th century, as America was rapidly expanding and industrializing, the river was equipped with a number of navigational tools, such as locks and dams, to improve transportation and facilitate the movement of goods and people. With the expansion of the American railway network in the mid-19th century, the importance of the Mississippi River declined, though it remains a major geographical feature of the country to this day.
Despite its lengthy history, the Mississippi River has had to overcome a number of challenges to its survival. These have included a major oil spill in 1980, which poisoned a section of the river and affected its wildlife, as well as various industrial activities which have altered its course and negatively affected its quality.
Economic Impact of Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has, since its beginnings, relied heavily on commercial activities such as fishing, lumber and trade, to fuel economic growth along its banks. In particular, the river has been integral to trade between the American heartland and the rest of the country, allowing for highly profitable corporations to transport their goods more swiftly.
In modern times, the river has remained an important factor in the economy, providing direct employment to locals and maintaining a reliable transport system for exports and freight ships which must navigate the river’s beastly bends and turns.
The Mississippi River has also been of great value to the tourism industry in the region, attracting visitors from all over the world to experience its wonders. Attractions such as the Old River Control Structure provide an educational experience of the river’s power, while towns and cities along the path provide opportunities for entertainment and relaxation.
Pollution Along The Mississippi
Despite its importance to the economy, the river has faced numerous problems, with pollution and water pollution being two of the major concerns in recent times. As the commercial activities of riverside communities have increased, so have the pressures on the river and its neighboring areas. This has manifested itself in the form of industrial and agricultural waste, sewage, and airborne particles from transportation, all of which has had a severe impact on the river’s ecology.
Garbage and plastic waste have also made their way into the river, upriver as far as the lake it originates from. This has had a damaging effect on the fish and other aquatic life in the river and its tributaries, increasingly endangering their future.
In order to combat these and similar issues, various organizations have been formed to help protect the river and its residents. These include the Mississippi River Commission, which is responsible for regulating activity on the river, as well as non-profit organizations such as Mississippi Riverkeeper, which are dedicated to improving the river’s health.
Restoration Efforts of the Mississippi River
In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the efforts to restore the Mississippi River and its related ecosystems. One of the major initiatives was the Riverbend project, which saw a comprehensive update to the navigation and navigation infrastructure surrounding the river. This included the construction of a series of lock systems, sluices, and channels which enabled vessels to more effectively navigate their way through the river’s maze-like bends.
Thanks to the success of the project, thousands of vessels now traverse the Mississippi River each year. In addition, the updated navigation infrastructure has helped to reduce the impact of floodwaters, ensuring that communities and businesses are better protected in the event of future disasters.
The project has also had a positive effect on the river’s environment, with improved water quality and greater protection of fish and wildlife. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has also noted a steady increase in the population of endangered species in the region, which is a testament to the positive impacts of the Riverbend project.
